Michael Jackson Again?? Fuck! (956 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: 1.52 on 30 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Insomniac (View user info) at 2005-03-10 15:28:21 EST
I am disturbed, extremely saddened, and angry. But above all, I am disappointed.
Let me explain:
I work in an office building for a medium sized insurance company, mostly inhabited by middle aged and older women, with the few groups of younger adults here and there. I walked downstairs today, newspaper in hand, eager to get to my paper bag of yummy goodness the contents of which I have been waiting to devour since I got here today, 4 hours ago. As I take my seat at a table next to the heater by the window, I happen to glance up at the TV mounted in one corner of the cafeteria. Fox News, as usual. Today was live, continuous coverage of the Michael Jackson trial, or, as it were, lack thereof. Apparently he got the flu again and failed to show up for court. Okay, whatever. I have my newspaper, I don't need to pay attention to that drivel.
As I am reading about the pro-Syrian government returning to power in Lebanon, someone goes to the TV and turns it up, so that everyone, no matter where you are in the lunchroom, can hear some random "correspondent" who's on the scene where the judge has just ordered a warrant for Michael. And sure as shit, every pair of eyes that wasn't already glued to the TV instantly finds its way there. Unwavering, undistracted, 100 people pretty much all watching this. I look back down at my newspaper, and it occurs to me, as I sit here reading about the $2.1 trillion federal budget that is about to pass through the Senate on its way to the House, the same budget that will more than likely disqualify me from most of my college funding, these people are more concerned with what happens to one crazy fucker 2000 miles away. Who the shit cares if he's famous.
If we all wake up tomorrow, and Michael is in jail, what does that have to do with our lives? How will they change? I submit to you they won't. Not one bit. On the other hand, if we wake up tomorrow and Israel, nervous about Iran's burgeoning nuclear program, decides to lob a few missiles their way, do you think that will have some effect on our lives? You bet your ass it will, even if its only the redirection of a few of my tax dollars. Michael Jackson has nothing to do with us. Nuclear war and a federal budget (with another record deficit, I might add) does. Yet for some reason, no one seems to care.
Here's an experiment you can try at home. Or anywhere, for that matter. Pick a random person. Ask them what exactly Michael Jackson is being charged with, or what direction Martha Stewart plans to take her company now that she's out of jail, and see what they say. Now ask the same person what programs the federal government cut this year to make up for some of their out of control spending for the past few years. Or, if that isn't your cup of tea, ask them which group of people received the second most votes in Iraq's recent elections, and what their demands are for their people. I bet they have no idea it was the Kurds, and they want more autonomy for their people in the north of the country (the same ones Saddam gassed in 1988). (By the way, I know its more complicated than that, don't be an ass. I was making an example). Point being, I can almost guarantee you the average person will have an answer to the first question, but not the second. I think our priorities in this country have gotten all twisted around and confused. Does anyone else see a problem with this?
When did people stop caring? I know there are people who pay attention to world issues, and I know there are people who are out there, doing what they can for all of us, but the vast majority of Americans are clueless. I think that is a very sad thing, and if were not careful, it will lead us all down a road filled with peril.
And for those of you who want to make this a partisan debate, it isn't. It's a debate about the savvy of everyone, Democrat, Republican, white, black , yellow, purple, whatever. Doesn't matter. We all have a responsibility to our country and to eachother to be responsible citizens and educate ourselves. There are ways to do that, but it becomes difficult when we are spoonfed this bullshit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just because I mention Fox News doesn't make this partisan, either. It was, in fact, on all four major cable news networks for the ENTIRE duration of my 35 minute lunch. It's probably still on, I don't know.
What do you think, Uber? Are you as disturbed as I am by this trend in our population? Do you think there's a solution to this pandemic of ignorance? Make yourself heard...
User Reviews
Submitted by Kazzerax (user info) at 2005-07-11 14:29:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-06-14 12:53:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Sphagnum (user info) at 2005-06-14 12:51:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Good post.
Submitted by Santa_Claus_ (user info) at 2005-04-26 18:37:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Santa_Claus_ (user info) at 2005-04-26 18:34:37 (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by InsoManiac (user info) at 2005-04-26 14:13:30 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by darkwulffe (user info) at 2005-04-26 13:12:44 (#)
Ranking: 1
I really wanted to +2 this... But due to errors I just couldnt
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Its the content that matters you smacktard.
And yeah, you did in fact spell couldn't wrong. Go kill yourself for being such a self-righteous anal retentive asshole.
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I know *someone* who's getting extra presents for Christmas.
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And, holy Christ, I'm one of these people!
Submitted by InsoManiac (user info) at 2005-03-11 08:01:20 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Affinity (user info) at 2005-03-11 06:56:04 (#)
Ranking: 2
Yar! Same in England......
Cunning bastards tinker with the media to keep the big issues out of
the public domain. The media (other than the BBC which rocks) wind themselves up.
Tabloid newspapers are the worst.
I reckon you can't take any news seriously that isn't independent of corporate
interests.
Is there a trustworthy news source State side?
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Ha, yes, Its called BBC America.
:-)
Submitted by Affinity (user info) at 2005-03-11 06:56:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Yar! Same in England......
Cunning bastards tinker with the media to keep the big issues out of
the public domain. The media (other than the BBC which rocks) wind themselves up.
Tabloid newspapers are the worst.
I reckon you can't take any news seriously that isn't independent of corporate
interests.
Is there a trustworthy news source State side?
Submitted by Jungle_Jimanee (user info) at 2005-03-11 06:52:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:33:03 (#)
Ranking: 2
Superior minds speak of ideas.
Average minds speak of events.
Simple minds speak of other people.
Ha Ha, I'm nicking that,
Submitted by MichaelJackson (user info) at 2005-03-11 06:32:51 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
Ugh, I was sick ok! They made me go down to that court house in my jammies :(
Submitted by Saxon (user info) at 2005-03-11 00:54:24 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I agree why dont we send MJ to Iraq? he has enough money to fix their economy and he can teach them all too moonwalk.
Submitted by d_prime (user info) at 2005-03-10 21:30:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
I don't know about 'civic responcibility', but yes, people are much better off if they're informed, and think about the wrong things.
We also have gay marriages and, up here, whether you can take your own wine to restaraunts.
"WHO CARES!?"
I'm sure that you agree.
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2005-03-10 18:21:47 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
This is nothing new, actually. It has happened before but obviously you are too young or too forgetful to remember it.
This is merely history repeating itself. Like history, the same outcome will come about.
Submitted by MrRottenTreats (user info) at 2005-03-10 18:05:05 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
I love MJ
Submitted by downerSTAIN (user info) at 2005-03-10 17:38:27 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
A-fucking-men.
Submitted by InkyFingers (user info) at 2005-03-10 16:31:48 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Widespread ignorance is fine by me... more peons to enslave (insert maniacal laughter).
Do you know how much the insurgents pay for a healthy weegro (wigger/negro)? More money than you have in your your refrigerator, that's for drrn sure.
Submitted by Thirty_Four_Eggs (user info) at 2005-03-10 16:20:34 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2005-03-10 16:02:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:56:12 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
hoo-ah! fuck hard copy and ET. fuck E! and every reporter dedicating their lives to churning out this shit.
Submitted by Smoothe (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:51:38 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
good rant - I am fucking fed up with this same bullshit. And this is why I don't watch very much TV at all anymore. We are all just subjected to the lowest common denominator constantly because people just "don't feel like thinking too much" fucking people.
Submitted by jumpinjellyfish (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:49:08 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
People want drama...not news.
Submitted by ardubs (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:46:06 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Well done.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:42:54 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Glam_Daddy2 (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:30:41 (#)
Ranking: 2
fucking well said...
Our whole infrastructure got a D from the Amercian Society of Civil Engineers, yet all I see is this trash.
Submitted by CaptainThorns (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:42:51 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Well written.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - it's time to vote in an independent presidential candidate for this wonderful country, before we go to pot.
Submitted by Kristen (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:39:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
"Michael Jackson" and "fuck" on the same line...nice.
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:36:01 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Welcome to America. Please check your understanding of right and wrong at the door.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:33:22 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
this is double-plus ungood.
I blame everyone else.
Submitted by c1ndy (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:33:04 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
i totally agree with you.
Submitted by BLITZKREIG_BOB (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:33:03 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Superior minds speak of ideas.
Average minds speak of events.
Simple minds speak of other people.
Celebrities getting into trouble with the law is the lowest common denominator that a national newscast can relate to.
Submitted by congo (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:32:45 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Amen, brother.
Submitted by L-Gizzle (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:31:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
FOX news sucks ass, last night one of their "top" stories was about 50 Cent making up with the Game. who the fuck cares?
Submitted by Glam_Daddy2 (user info) at 2005-03-10 15:30:41 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
fucking well said...